Chanl Marshal is a black queer DJ and caregiver from Toronto who has been experiencing financial hardship and housing instability.

 

Like for many people the pandemic hit hard. For Chanl not only did it hit hard but it gave her new responsibilities. In the past year Chanl has opened up her home to her grandmother and a queer youth who was facing homelessness. Due to this unexpected new role of guardianship she has since had to leave her job to take care of both her dependants and is now behind on rent and falling into more debt.

 

 

In August 2020 Chanls grandmother moved in with her after expressing that she felt depressed, lonely, and isolated. Her grandmother is a stroke patient who needs to be supervised at all times and requires both a special diet plan (pureed foods) and mobility needs. In addition to the costs of groceries she also had to make her home more accessible by purchasing a wheelchair, toilet railing, and special bed. After suffering from multiple strokes her grandmother cold no longer be left alone for more than 5 hours. Chanel had to then go on a sick-leave from work to tend to her.

 

September that same year Chanl took in KM from an abusive home. KM is a queer youth that Chanl would mentor and a safe space for her to confide in about her queerness. When KM fled her home Chanl searched endlessly for ways to support her while giving her a safe home to stay in. Before staying with Chanl, KM’s mental health was already declining. She was depressed, suicidal, and dissociative, and to ensure KM didn’t continue to self harm Chanl would have to stay home to supervise.

 

With all this stress of new responsibilities Chanl had to leave her job to continue to care for both her grandmother and KM. With CERB being her only source of income she tried her best to support her new family of 3, but this has now put her into debt and behind on half a year's worth of rent and is facing eviction.

 

Chanl’s has spent the past year taking care of everyone but herself and now has an aunt to bury in Jamaica.

Chanl is now exhausted and has had to relocate her grandmother and KM temporarily while she works on a plan towards stability for them. If she loses this apartment she won’t be able to continue to take care of her grandmother and KM.

 

She needs our help!

 

Chanl is looking for $15,000

-To pay rent

-Therapy

-New car

-Groceries

-Savings for KM (child care and schooling)

-Paying towards debt

-Money set aside for Chanl’s mental health and self care

Words by : Marisa Rosa Grant